Seal Skinz Waterproof beanie hat made me look like a radioactive Smurf. Not the most flattering effect perhaps, but it's actually just what's needed for murky commutes and training runs.

Crudely, it's the same technology that goes into the brand's other waterproof, breathable kit which for the uninitiated is a three-layer system comprising a polyester fleece, Porelle waterproof/breathable membrane and knitted acrylic outer. On paper at least, this allows sweat an easy escape while keeping rain out. The membrane is crinkly, but easily ignored.

My November outings proved a very mixed bag. At the milder end, steady club run speeds turned things very clammy within 20 minutes and it takes a while before the fibres wake up to wicking. Odour control's pretty good mind, machine washing's no chore and it emerged unscathed from accidental tumble drying.

When Mother Nature tweaked the thermostat a few notches and threw in some icy crosswinds and persistent drizzle, the wet, cold conditions brought out the best in the material. Haring into sweeping bends, I sensed the air temperature falling and the acrylic outer slowly saturating but I felt perfectly warm and dry underneath.

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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